More than one way to water a plant

Cleveland Early College High School juniors built Rube Goldberg machines to fulfill the task.

A Rube Goldberg machine performs a simple task through the use of six chain-reaction steps.

“We studied the use of hydroelectric power at DuPont State Forest in Brevard and how waterfalls at the park are used as a source of power,” said Early College teacher Matthew Love. “These projects are an extension of the trip to show their understanding of hydroelectric power.”

The machines had to meet criteria, such as not being able to use live animals for energy, students could not use power and the machines had to complete the task in less than three minutes.

The machines were built from scrap materials such as toys, bottles, wood or metal, Love said.

Some students used golf balls or marbles that would run a course, hitting dominos until a water bottle was triggered to water a plant.

Others had mouse traps that would snap to cause a chain reaction.

Students started working on the machines in October, and the machines were judged in early February by Mark Gengler of Cleveland Community College and NC State engineering major Josh Sweezy.

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com . Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.

Winners of the Cleveland Early College High School Rube Goldburg Contest: